Non-Capital Areas Enter Step 3 from Today... 36 Cities and Counties Maintain Steps 1-2 (Update)

7 Areas Including Gyeongnam Gimhae and Gangwon Yangyang at Level 4
'36 Small-Population and Stable Epidemic Cities and Counties Excluded from Level 3'
"Low Patient Numbers Due to Less Movement... Not an Invitation to Visit"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] From the 27th, social distancing measures in non-metropolitan areas have been raised to Level 3. However, 36 cities and counties with populations under 100,000 and relatively stable epidemic situations will maintain Levels 1 and 2.

Son Young-rae, head of the Social Strategy Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated at the regular COVID-19 briefing that "From today, among 160 cities, counties, and districts in non-metropolitan areas, 7 regions will be under Level 4, and 117 regions will be under Level 3." He added, "However, 36 rural and fishing villages with small populations and almost no cases have not been subject to level escalation." Son emphasized, "The epidemic continues to grow in non-metropolitan areas, making it urgent to block the spread, especially in Daejeon, the Chungcheong region, Busan, Gyeongnam, Daegu, Gangwon, and Jeju, where the scale of the outbreak is large."

The areas under Level 4 include five districts in Daejeon, Gimhae City in Gyeongnam, and Yangyang County in Gangwon. The 36 cities and counties with populations under 100,000 and stable epidemic situations are excluded from this Level 3 escalation based on decisions by local governments. Among these 36, the Level 1 areas include 13 locations in Gyeongbuk: Sangju City, Gunwi County, Uiseong County, Cheongsong County, Yeongyang County, Yeongdeok County, Cheongdo County, Goryeong County, Seongju County, Yecheon County, Bonghwa County, Uljin County, and Ulleung County.

Level 2 applies to 23 cities and counties, including Boryeong City, Seocheon City, and Taean County in Chungnam; Gimje City, Namwon City, Jeongeup City, Gochang County, Muju County, Buan County, Sunchang County, Imsil County, Jangsu County, Jinan County, and Wanju County (excluding Innovation City) in Jeonbuk; Mungyeong City in Gyeongbuk; and Yanggu County, Yeongwol County, Inje County, Jeongseon County, Pyeongchang County, Hongcheon County, Hwacheon County, and Hoengseong County in Gangwon.

Son explained, "Most of the 36 cities and counties that were not escalated to Level 3 are rural areas with small populations, high vaccination rates, and almost no cases. Due to limited population movement, these areas have fewer cases. This does not mean we are declaring these areas safe."

Additionally, non-metropolitan areas will implement Level 3 social distancing measures until August 8. Some multi-use facilities such as cafes and restaurants can operate only until 10 p.m., and private gatherings are limited to four people.

Furthermore, health authorities are making all-out efforts to block overseas inflows. As of midnight today, 89 confirmed cases were imported from abroad, marking the second-highest number ever recorded. Son stated, "The fourth wave is spreading widely overseas as well, and the number of infected individuals entering from abroad has been steadily increasing. Today, more people arrived than usual, including 30 shift crew members identified during quarantine."

He added, "Currently, all arrivals undergo about three PCR tests before and after entry, and are quarantined for 14 days in facilities or at home to monitor COVID-19 infection. Also, from August, 26 countries with significant variant outbreaks have been separately designated, with quarantine exemption certificates suspended and stricter management enforced."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.